Sweatier weather is upon us
No heat advisories, but ‘we’re not going to be in the clear’ of triple-digit index weekend
Triple-digit heat indexes are expected over the weekend, a reminder that summertime in Houston is not yet done.
“We do commonly see this throughout August and sometimes in September as well,” meteorologist Katie Magee of the National Weather Service in League City said. “We’re not going to be in the clear for some time, unfortunately.”
The latest heat wave comes after the city’s 10th-hottest July on record, Magee said.
A heat advisory by the National Weather Service is not anticipated, but the triple-digit heat index puts temperatures only a couple degrees away from one. An advisory is usually issued when heat indexes reach temperatures of 108 degrees or higher or natural temperatures rise to more 103 degrees.
The weekend’s heat index is topping out in the 100 to 105 degree range, Magee said. The high heat index is expected to continue into early next week, and Magee said there’s a chance the heat indexes could spike briefly higher.
“This is very likely to happen again,” said Magee about the high temperatures.
Temperatures last month in Houston were an average of 1½ degrees warmer than normal, making it the 10th-hottest July on record, Magee said. August started off cooler — with temperatures about a half-degree below normal — but Houstonians noticed a change late this week.
Porfirio Villarreal, public information officer for the Houston Health Department, said the city is not planning to open cooling centers with no active heat advisory. But he encouraged residents without air-conditioning to take refuge at a relative’s home or perhaps a public library.
“It’s really important that people leave any heavy activity or exercise for either early in the morning or in the evening when the sun is not so intense,” advised Villareal.
He also said residents should check on those who may be more vulnerable to heat such as the elderly or children under 5.